Monday, November 3, 2008

Radio Station Field Trip 5 - East Village Radio in NYC

East Village Radio in New York CityOctober 24, 2008

When I was at the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City a few weeks ago, I learned about East Village Radio during one of the panel discussions that I attended. Co-founder/Creative Director of East Village Radio, Jorge doCouto piqued my interest when he talked about some of the interesting programming on the station and when he mentioned the recent festival that they put on in New York City. I was so intrigued, that I decided that it merited a field trip over to the East Village in order to check out the station.

So, on Friday, October 24, 2008 I finished up my day of panels at CMJ in order to spend the afternoon visiting radio stations.

East Village Radio is an Internet-only station in New York City's East Village. They occupy a tiny storefront, wedged between their pizzeria benefactor Lil' Frankie's and a tattoo shop. The space is so small that there's only room for the studio equipment and a tiny bit of storage. I was told by the on-air DJ that there's no record library and that DJs bring in their own music to play. Offices are located upstairs. They've been around since summer 2003 and are increasingly popular with listeners from all over the world who listen online and to the station's podcasts.

DJ Hallogallo at East Village Radio, NYCOctober 24, 2008

Since the station is located right on the street, it has an interesting relationship with local residents. When I was there, a number of passersby of all walks of life stopped to watch the DJ and see what was happening at the station. According to their website, "The station's street level studio helps maintain its independent artistic sensibility. According to an MTA (MetropolitanTransit Authority) study of pedestrian traffic in New York City, almost 1,800 (1,000 during off-peak travel times) pedestrians pass by the sound booth per hour."

Passersby Watching the Happenings at East Village Radio

East Village Radio aspires to be both innovative and a resource to the community. Their website states, "It is first and foremost a station that exemplifies a communitarian spirit, nonconformity, and a dedication to providing a platform for innovative music. EVR provides a voice for local DJs and personalities who might otherwise have been drowned out by the deafening presence of rapid gentrification."

East Village Radio's Storefront StudioOctober 24, 2008

When I stopped by on a Friday afternoon, DJ Hallogallo was playing underground sounds on his show "Infinite Eargasm," while waiting for the band Motel Motel to set up for a live in-studio performance. My timing couldn't have been better, as it was fascinating to see how they orchestrated setting up a band to play in such a tiny space. Band members were consulted about whether or not anyone was left-handed, so that they could figure out how to squeeze all of the people and instruments in most efficiently.

Motel Motel Preparing for their Performance on East Village RadioOctober 24, 2008

After all four musicians got situated into the studio, I was able to watch the entire set by Brooklyn band Motel Motel. They did a beautiful set of acoustic, Americana music.

Motel Motel at East Village RadioOctober 24, 2008

Since there was a bit of a crowd watching the performance, the DJ left the studio door open so that we could all see and hear. Adding to the whole urban experience, during the set, at least 4 rounds of ambulances and emergency vehicles drove by with sirens blaring, no doubt giving Internet listeners a true appreciation for the studio's NYC store-front digs.

Motel Motel at East Village RadioOctober 24, 2008

Thanks so much to East Village Radio for allowing me to stop by and visit and thanks to Motel Motel for a great set of music! If you want to hear the Motel Motel set that I got the pleasure to experience in person, you can do so on the East Village Radio website.